World athletics president Sebastian Coe encourages India’s Olympic bid for 2036, warns of challenges ahead
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics and former Olympic 1,500-meter champion, has expressed his delight over India’s interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics. However, Coe, who has extensive experience in organizing international sporting events, cautioned the South Asian nation that staging the Olympic Games is one of the world’s most complex and demanding undertakings.
India, which has never hosted the Olympic Games, has shown growing ambition in the global sports arena, and Coe’s recent visit to New Delhi, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, underscored the nation’s aspirations. Coe praised India’s commitment to sports development, noting that the country’s efforts reflect a broader vision of using sports to bring social and economic benefits.
“I was very pleased that India is obviously keen to one day stage an Olympic Games,” Coe said in an interview with Reuters. “We know that the Olympic Games is a unique sporting event and it doesn’t surprise me that a country with the type of ambitions that India has, and the vision for sports beyond the field of play, would look at staging a Games.”
India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics would place the country alongside other contenders such as Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. While Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Olympics and Brisbane will hold the Games in 2032, the 2036 edition remains up for grabs, with India eyeing this prestigious opportunity.
However, Coe, whose leadership in organizing the successful 2012 London Olympics stands as a hallmark of his career, stressed that India’s Olympic bid would require strong political backing throughout the planning and execution phases. He emphasized the importance of clear communication with the public and local communities, ensuring they understand the benefits of hosting the Games.
“India would need political support throughout the delivery phase,” Coe advised. “Be clear about what your legacy is, because if you’re not, others will define it for you, and that may not end well.”
India’s track record at the Olympics has been modest, with the nation securing seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games, its largest haul from a single Olympic Games. Historically, India’s Olympic successes have largely been concentrated in hockey, with the nation’s most significant gold medal performances occurring between 1928 and 1980. Despite this, Coe acknowledged the remarkable efforts of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in promoting “kids’ athletics” and encouraging youth participation in sports.
“I want to recognize the AFI for its efforts in promoting athletics to young people in India,” Coe said. “This is a crucial step in encouraging healthier lifestyles, both mental and physical. Athletics is the Queen, the mother, of all sports.”
While India’s Olympic journey has faced challenges in the past, including difficulties encountered during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Coe’s visit highlighted the country’s ongoing determination to enhance its sports infrastructure and global reputation. The World Athletics President’s remarks suggest that India’s potential to host the 2036 Games could become a reality with the right planning, support, and vision for legacy.
As the race to host the 2036 Olympics continues to unfold, India’s commitment to sports development and its ambitious bid for the Games will be closely watched by the global community.
